Palestinian Terrorist Opens Fire In Jerusalem, Killing One, Injuring four

Hamas terrorist Fadi Abu Shkhaidem 42, opened fire on civilians Sunday, in Jerusalem's Old City at the foot of the Arab market by the Western Wall. The 42-year-old from east Jerusalem fired off several rounds from a Beretta M12 submachine gun before he was shot dead by security forces.

Authorities say two of the injured were civilians and two were border police officers. One man in critical condition was later pronounced dead in Hadassah-University Medical Center at Jerusalem's Mount Scopus.

Three of the victims had just finished praying at the nearby Western Wall. One of them, speaking from his hospital bed, credited the small black box of his forehead tefillin as having saved his life because it prevented the bullet from reaching his head.

Prior to carrying out the attack, Abu Shehadam, wrote in a Facebook post: “God determines our destiny, but most people do not know. The question of our destiny is a question that God determines, God in His wisdom and greatness, He chooses whoever He wants and presents them to their destiny.”

Speaking at the scene of the attack, Public Security Minister Omer Barlev, said it was planned in advance. “His [Abu Shehadam's] wife went abroad 3 days ago, his children are abroad.”

Hamas praised the attack calling it a “heroic operation” that serves as “a warning to the criminal enemy and its government to stop the attacks on our land and our holy sites. [Israel] will pay a price for the iniquities it commits against Al-Aqsa Mosque, Silwan, Sheikh Jarrah and elsewhere.”

The attack came 48-hours after United Kingdom designated all of Hamas -- not just its political wing -- a terrorist organization.

Israeli Prime Minister Naftali Bennett sent his condolences to the families of the victims in Sunday's attack. He noted the attack further justifies U.K.'s decision to designation the Gaza-based terror group.

“This reflects a welcome understanding, that I hope will spread to all of Europe, about how terrorist organizations work," Bennett said. "There are no rockets and no terrorism without a political wrapper, without fundraising, without an incitement machine.”

Sunday's attack in Jerusalem comes four days after a stabbing attack there, when a 16-year-old terrorist injured two border policemen before he was shot dead.